Sentencing of 'Father Bob' follows year of scandal for Catholic Church and Saginaw Diocese

SAGINAW, MI — A longtime Catholic Diocese of Saginaw priest who pleaded no contest to sex crimes faced sentencing on Thursday, April 25.

The Rev. Robert J. “Father Bob” DeLand in March pleaded no contest to second-degree criminal sexual conduct, gross indecency between two males, and manufacturing or distributing an imitation controlled substance. The most serious charge is second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony.

DeLand's arrest and conviction come as the Michigan Attorney General's office is investigating sex-abuse claims dating back to the 1950s within all seven of the state's Catholic dioceses.

The state's investigation is among the latest developments in a scandal involving claims of child sexual abuse and an alleged cover up that has rocked the Catholic Church across the United States and the world.

An MLive investigation earlier this year explored this crisis in depth. Read the series:

DeLand, 72, appeared in court for sentencing on Thursday and received 2 to 15 years in prison, and 5 years probation.

Below are events leading up to his sentencing and a look at how the Catholic sex-abuse scandal has unfolded locally and beyond:

February 2018

Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com file

February 2018

Police seek more victims after Freeland priest is charged with sex crimes

The Rev. Robert DeLand Jr. conducted Mass at St. Agnes Church in Freeland and renewed the vows of a couple who had been married 25 years, according to people who were there.

He was arrested later that day after police finished a months-long investigation. DeLand was jailed and charged with sexual assault. The case against him included allegations of sex crimes involving alcohol, drugs, two teens and a young man.

Another longtime priest in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw was suspended amid credible allegations of sexual misconduct, according to a statement from the diocese.

The Rev. Ronald J. Dombrowski, 72, was suspended as a "precautionary measure" after a person told the diocese that Dombrowski allegedly sexually abused them when they were a minor, according to the statement.

Search warrants were executed at the bishop's home on Corral Drive in Saginaw Township, the rectory at Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt in Saginaw and the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw offices in Saginaw Township.